By Linda Sedjro
As part of its annual fund-raiser for female student athletes, the UNO Women’s Athletic Department will host the Diet Pepsi/UNO Women’s Walk Saturday, April 20.
“It’s a half-hour walk to raise funds for our student athletes,” said Geri Backora, a clerical assistant in the athletic department.
More than 1,300 women have signed up to take part in the event, which is sponsored by the Pepsi-Cola company.
Pepsi-Cola donates $25,000 annually to underwrite the cost of the event.
The walk will begin on the track surrounding Al Caniglia Field. Walkers will stay on the track and joggers will take a campus-wide route. Participants may either run or walk.
Over the past 16 years, $1.6 million has been raised for the women’s athletic program.
Last year, $194,000 was raised and this year the goal is to raise $190,000 for female athlete scholarships.
This goal is $4,000 short of the previous year’s earnings because of the Sept. 11 tragedy, Backora said.
A continental breakfast will be served in the Sapp Fieldhouse after the walk and prizes will be handed out as incentives for walkers. They include a chance to win two airlines tickets courtesy of Travel & Transport, a diamond and amethyst ring from Borsheim’s, a $300 gift certificate from Hy-Vee, a 17-inch flat panel LCD display from Nebraska Furniture Mart, a $200 One Drake Place Salon gift basket and a Cox Communications gift certificate good for one year’s worth of free services. Numerous $100 gift certificates will also be given away.
Anyone interested in participating in the women’s walk can contact Geri Backora at 554-2533.
